Former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who faces allegations of being a key figure in the unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law on December 3, reportedly attempted suicide while in a detention facility, according to a Justice Ministry official during a parliamentary session.
On Wednesday, South Korean police conducted a search of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office, as confirmed by a presidential security official, as part of an expanding investigation into the president’s controversial martial law initiative. In a related development, Kim Yong-hyun, a former defence minister and close associate of Yoon, attempted suicide at the detention centre where he is being held following his arrest, as reported by a Justice Ministry representative at the parliamentary hearing.
A presidential security service official verified to Reuters that the police had indeed raided Yoon’s office. The national police agency has not yet provided immediate confirmation regarding the search. According to Yonhap news agency, investigators presented a search warrant that identified Yoon as the target of the investigation. This raid signifies a significant escalation in the inquiry involving Yoon and senior police and military officials concerning the unexpected martial law declaration on December 3, which has led to a constitutional crisis in South Korea, a key U.S. ally and the fourth-largest economy in Asia.
Yoon was not present at the presidential office compound during the raid, according to Yonhap. His official residence is located elsewhere. He has not made a public appearance since he issued an apology on Saturday for attempting to impose martial law.
Kim, the former defense minister, was discovered by guards attempting to take his own life inside a detention facility using his underwear, as reported by Shin Yong-hae, the chief of correction services in the justice ministry, during a session with the parliament’s justice committee.
Shin noted that Kim was under observation and that his life was not in immediate danger. Kim has resigned and has been charged with insurrection.
On Wednesday, the national police chief was arrested, becoming the latest high-ranking official implicated in the martial law declaration, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Yoon is currently under criminal investigation for insurrection charges and is prohibited from leaving the country; however, he has not yet been arrested or interrogated by authorities.
The leadership crisis has intensified, raising concerns about who is governing the country, while the main opposition party is preparing to conduct a second impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday. Some members of Yoon’s People Power Party (PPP) have expressed support for the motion, which was unsuccessful in the initial vote on December 7.
“The impeachment train has left the platform. There is no stopping it now,” stated DP leader Lee Jae-myung at the beginning of a party meeting. The first impeachment vote last Saturday failed due to a boycott by most PPP members.
National Police Commissioner Cho Ji-ho was arrested early on Wednesday on insurrection charges, as reported by Yonhap. Cho is accused of deploying police forces to prevent lawmakers from entering parliament following Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3.
Following Yoon’s unexpected late-night announcement, lawmakers, including some from his own party, breached the security perimeter surrounding parliament and voted to demand the immediate repeal of martial law, which Yoon complied with just hours later.
After issuing a public apology on live television Saturday, Yoon has not made any public appearances. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the PPP, stated that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would oversee state affairs while the party seeks a “orderly” process for the president’s resignation.
The constitutional validity of this approach has been challenged by opposition parties and various legal experts. Yoon’s office indicated on Tuesday that it had “no official position” when inquired about who was currently governing the country.
Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, informed a parliamentary committee on Tuesday that Yoon had instructed him to deploy troops to parliament on December 3, with orders to “break down the door” and “drag out” lawmakers. Former Defence Minister Kim has also faced accusations from military officials regarding issuing similar orders.
Parliament is set to convene on Wednesday to introduce a bill aimed at impeaching Yoon. A two-thirds majority in the opposition-controlled unicameral assembly is required for the bill to pass. Following this, the Constitutional Court will review the case and determine whether to remove the president from office.
Additionally, the country’s metal workers’ union, which includes employees from Kia Corp and other automakers, has announced a protest strike for Wednesday. Members of financial institutions, including the Bank of Korea, are also expected to participate in a protest rally on the same day.
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